Interview Tips

#1 Phone Interview Tip? Don’t Do Phone Interviews!!!

You should have one goal in mind when interviewing on the phone. That goal is to set-up a face-to-face interview with the company ASAP. And that can be in the first 2 minutes or 5 minutes, the key here is to set-up a face-to-face and GET OFF THE PHONE!

Why do I say, “Get off the phone?” Because the longer you stay on the phone with the interviewer the chances of you saying something you shouldn’t increases. Once you set the face-to-face your mission is accomplished!

Now, don’t get me wrong, you have to go through the “get acquainted” conversation with the interviewer, but as soon as you see an opening to say, “This sounds interesting, when can we get together?” or “This sounds interesting, when can I see your operations?” and start pushing for that all important face-to-face interview the better.

Why am I saying this? Why am I saying to push for an in-house interview so fast? Because HR types are screening you OUT not IN when you’re interviewing on the phone with them. My experience is, HR types do not want to put you in front of a hiring manager unless you’re qualified for the position. So, they are listening to anything that might knock you out of the process.

Most people are not very good on the phone, unless they are heavy phone users in their current business. But, in reality, most people have poor communication skills when it comes to speaking on the telephone. If you have a heavy accent or a speech impediment it is even more important to get off the phone and set-up a face-to-face, in-person interview ASAP.

Another thing, when you are speaking on the phone with the company SLOW DOWN your typical speaking pace. This is an old trick, but still works very effectively.

If you cannot get the company to set-up a face-to-face and they insist on have a lengthly phone interview, then here’s some tips for you:

1) Get into a quiet room
2) No kids or dogs in the room
3) No computers (don’t surf the Internet)
4) Do not check email or text messages
5) Make sure your phone is fully charged
6) No TV’s on in the room
7) Stand up (believe me this works)
8) Speak slowly